Malaika

OH that's a GREAT idea -- everyone start giving it some thought ... I will for sure ... that's awesome Judy! ... what do you think Chancie?

It's part of life, Tiff, nothing to be embarrassed about. Is John due home today or tomorrow?

I thought the same thing to Daisy; however, if he used a 32 and then overstitched - we'd end up with like a 28 and wouldn't be able to eat anything. So a 36 with overstitching - we still end up with a 32, so all is good.

Try the ricotta bake, too, Lan - it's really easy, tastes GREAT, and makes enough for several meals.

Dory - welcome to the VST Family - you'll find lots of support here and lots of answers to any questions you may have -- you will be happy with your decision to have had the sleeve... we look forward to reading about your journey to a new you!

Yes, and I've found that they never mean what we think they do -- maybe your ex husband signifies your addiction to food and that by kicking him to the curb you are taking control over not only your choice of food but your new life as well. Who knows, but as you said, I'm sure it has a lot of meaning on a lot of different levels. Glad you are feeling a bit better today.

Steph, I am so sorry about your kitty. It is so tough to lose a pet. I can relate to what you are going through with the food - I turned to food when I was married and got the heaviest I'd ever been - I was miserably unhappy so I ate. Once I made the decision to get out of the marriage, I changed the way I ate and started going to the gym -- I didn't need the food anymore. I dealt with those demons; however with some of the issues I have had with the sleeve - I at times wondered "what the hell" did I do. I do not feel that way any longer. If you are not able to work through these issues on your own, seek help to get through them and you'll be a much happier person and happy with your choice of the sleeve. We're here for you whenver you want to whine or vent! HUGS to you

Welcome Slimgranny and Dybarra - thank you for sharing your stories. Slimgranny you are doing great - keep it up Dybarra - you have made a good decision and will be happy with your decision - keep us posted on your progress. We're here for you both anytime you need us!

Welcome to the forum AnnaBanana - and what a goal you've got! Good for you We look forward to hearing more about your WL journey. Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

As Mac posted on another thread - it's hard to overload your stomach with fluids since as soon as the fluid hits the pyloris valve, it opens and the fluid starts emptying out of your stomach - just don't drink so much at one time that it hurts.

Great news MDGibbs - keep up the good work and make the treadmill a regular part of your day -- if that isn't fun, find some exercise that is! Keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome Rick (and Rick's wife) - that is great that you are both having the surgery. My fiance, BeardedItalian, had his surgery on 7/11/09 - mine was on 6/12/09. I've lost 47 lbs. and he is close behind me at 40 - being a man, I am sure he'll pass me up before too long; however that is okay - we're both in this for the long haul and are one another's biggest cheerleaders. It makes it nice, too, that you'll both be eating the same things - and you'll see a drastic reduction in your grocery bill once you get through the "experimental" stage of figuring out what you want to eat and what you can eat. WELCOME we look forward to reading about your journeys.

You're not alone Shanda. I am very restricted in the morning, so I start every morning with something warm - first it was herbal tea, but now I drink coffee - I'm able to get one cup down between the time I get up (6:15) and the time I leave for work (8:00) then when I get to work, I generally have a hot tea. I don't even TRY eating anything until at least 10:30 - generally I just wait until lunch at 11:30. It takes me quite some time to eat lunch - generally an hour - sometimes longer -- I don't even try to drink anything cold until about 3:00 ... I don't know if part of the problem is my spasms or if it's just restriction. I am nearly 4 months out ... so every day is still an experience, I've just finally found something that seems to work for me -- the warm helps reduce the restriction.

Lan - one thing that I found I could get down - and turned out it was good - even Ruthi liked it and ate it alot, too - was to blend a hard boiled egg yolk with some cottage cheese - I have a stick blender and it blended it very creamy -- it was high in protein and was easy to eat -- You could add a little low fat mayo if need be and some pepper ... just a thought! Glad you did well with the cottage cheese and applesauce ... each day will get easier!

Glad to hear everyone is out of surgery and recovering - sleep when you need to and then walk, walk, walk ...we'll look forward to seeing your posts when you're up to it. Tell Judy we all say "Hello" and that we'll look forward to hearing from/about her when she's feeling up to it! Be sure to take a group photo and post it!

Thank you all for the warm welcome and confidence in me - I hope I can live up to everyone's expectations.

That's awesome Cajun - makes the liquid phase totally worth it - huh? (or at least somewhat worth it!)

Thanks for the update - by now you are out of surgery - perhaps both you and Trudy are both out of surgery - and in recovery - we will look forward to updates from both of you -- be sure and look for Judy tomorrow while you're wandering the halls! Keep us posted!

SoCal - I am SO GLAD you have someone to talk to about this and that are helping you to see the light - you're doing great so far - you'll get the 2 meatballs in (that's what I just had for lunch) and your shake and I bet you'll begin to feel less foggy -- and start to look better, too. This surgery is to help you take your life back, not to make yourself sicker -- I know how you feel about being afraid to eat - bjut in order to get better you need to do it -- you'll see, soon, that you aren't going to eat too much - you just CAN'T so then you'll feel more comfortable and in control of what you do eat. Please keep us posted and definitely post anything you can to help others who might have this battle too. One day at a time - sometimes one hour or one minute at a time - that's all you can do!

I agree 100% with everything you've said Cajun (except for the part of the delayed plane, as I didn't have to worry about that!)

I had the super keen smell after surgery too -- It was like bionic smelling and was just awful. It seems to have subsided somewhat (thank goodness); hopefully your's will subside a bit too down the road. However, I still am super sensitive to sweets. I may give this a try - I would like to have 1 Protein Drink I can tolerate for those days when I don't feel like eating but need my protein. Thanks, Shanda.

Welcome MountainLover and thank you for sharing your story - it sounds as though things are moving right along. I am sure you will pass your tests and everything will get sent to your insurance company. I hope the wait is not long for you to find out you're approved and to get your surgery date. Keep us all posted.

OH okay - sorry, I just didn't want you to misunderstand and then be upset after surgery to find you can't get that much in -- gotcha now! My mistake.

Francisco, welcome to VST. Thank you for your story and I, too, am glad that your surgery went well and that you had a good experience.

Tiff - Bearded hasn't mentioned anything about me feeling tighter; however he has mentioned that now that we are both thinner he can get closer and it feels different - and different in a GREAT way he says. So, I would take everyone's advice, talk to John about it (better do that on the way home from the airport, because I have a feeling you aren't going to have a chance once he gets you into the house!). I am sure once you reconsummate (sp?) your marriage, everything will be good and your fears will be laid to rest. Hang in there g/f the wait is almost over- quit borrowing trouble and rejoice in the fact that your man is going to be back in your arms and in your bed in the next day or two! HUGS to you.